The Liberty Tree tells the story of United States Founding Father Thomas Paine’s extraordinary life, interweaving Paine’s own words from his letters and the pamphlets that made him one of the most influential and dangerous writers of his age. While the recording includes readings of extracts from newspaper reports, diaries, letters and other documents of the times, also featured are Paine-inspired tracks written and sung by prolific and influential singer-songwriters Robb Johnson and Leon Rosselson. It adds a compelling dimension to the story by reflecting Paine’s radical ideas and evaluating them in the context of the 21st century. This unique blend of words and music challenges received opinion in the same way Paine’s writings did.

“A highly subversive pairing of two of the left’s most eloquent songwriters.” –The Daily Telegraph

“…some of the most literate and well-made topical songs now being written” –The New York Times [on Leon Rosselson]

“When the rich plunder the poor of his rights, it becomes an example to the poor to plunder the rich of his property.” –Thomas Paine

Track Listing:

1. The Morning Star of the Revolution
2. The Roots of the Liberty Tree
3. The Idle Talker & Drinker at the White Hart Social Club, Lewes
4. The Editor of the Pennsylvania Magazine
5. Rosa's Lovely Daughters
6. Reflections on Unhappy Marriages
7. Don't Get Married, Girls
8. Independency
9. Common Sense
10. The Wall that Stands Between
11. The Times That Try Men's Souls
12. 3 Minutes' Silence
13. The Rights of Man- Part 1
14. Remembrance Day
15. The Old Construction
16. We All Said Stop the War
17. The Rights of Man- Part 2
18. Monarchy
19. On Her Silver Jubilee
20. Riots & Tumults
21. Picking up the Pieces
22. Wages & Rights
23. Oliver Twist
24. Countries that Are Called Civilised
25. Palaces of Gold
26. High Treason
27. The Defect Lies in the System
28. Changing the Guard
29. Execution & War
30. The Terror
31. Citizen Paine
32. The Age of Reason
33. Stand Up for Judas
34. Applause & Abuse
35. The Life of a Libeller
36. Red & Green/The World Turned Upside Down

Catalog Number: ROOT-CD-0016

UPC: 877746001628